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MLB 2020 Draft - Tigers Draft Spencer Torkelson #1 And sign him to $8.4 Million Bonus
- Thread starter kalinecountry
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SATURDAY SURVEY
The Detroit Tigers locked up the future of 2Ber Colt Keith to what could be a 9-year contract. When they did this, Keith had yet to play at the MLB level although it was expected he would mak…
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
The Detroit Tigers locked up the future of 2B'er Colt Keith to what could be a 9-year contract. When they did this, Keith had yet to play at the MLB level although it was expected he would make the roster this year.
Now that he has played in 27 games (through Thursday), Keith is showing solid promise defensively as a rookie. But it’s at the plate where he is really struggling with a .160/.225/.181/.406 slash line. His OPS is the lowest in MLB for qualified hitters.
It was not expected that Colt would have an easy time at the plate right out of the gate. Struggles were expected. But it was clear that the Tigers want him to learn and gain experience.
Recently, other franchises have been sending down some top prospects for their failure to hit like Jackson Holliday.
What should the Tigers do with Keith? Send him down and delay his development at the MLB level or keep him in Detroit to work things out?
What should the Tigers do about Colt Keith?
1. Send him down to Toledo to work on his hitting.
2. Keep him in Detroit and work things out there.
VOTE
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AJ Hinch when asked about moving Spencer Torkelson down to the seventh hole: "You see him steadily moving down in the order and the next stop is next to me. We're trying to keep supporting him because he's a good player. But he's not in a good spot."
There are multiple issues with demoting Torkelson.. he’s late.. AAA isn’t fixing that.. it didn’t fix it in 2022.. his barrel rate is almost nonexistent ..and now wins are the priority not player development.. Hinch has moved him down and given him days off ..
His defensive issue compound the problem..also difficult to roster a one tool player .. who lost the tool ..The last 350 AB of 2023 bought Tork time just not unlimited time.
There are multiple issues with demoting Torkelson.. he’s late.. AAA isn’t fixing that.. it didn’t fix it in 2022.. his barrel rate is almost nonexistent ..and now wins are the priority not player development.. Hinch has moved him down and given him days off ..
His defensive issue compound the problem..also difficult to roster a one tool player .. who lost the tool ..The last 350 AB of 2023 bought Tork time just not unlimited time.
tomdalton22
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the Tigers have a lot of candidates to hit at the bottom of the order. Unfortunately, they have very few that deserve to be at the top of the order.
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MONDAY MUSINGS
by Holly Horning Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky. So let’s get to it! …
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky.
So let’s get to it! Here are the most interesting topics that hit my radar over the past week………..
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WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY
On Monday, the Detroit Tigers demoted Spencer Torkelson to Toledo. It is his second trip there since he made the roster in 2022. During that year, he remained in Toledo for 35 games. To…
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
On Monday, the Detroit Tigers demoted Spencer Torkelson to Toledo. It is his second trip there since he made the roster in 2022. During that year, he remained in Toledo for 35 games.
Tork, a 1-1 draft pick back in 2020, has reverted to his offensive problems from 2022 instead of playing off his better 2023 season when he led the team in HRs and RBIs.
For his entire time with the Tigers, he has insisted on keeping the same set up/swing that he had in college. He has resisted taking the advice of the hitting coaches to tweak his swing and make other adjustments to his approach at the plate even as he has hit .148 against RHP this year. His BA against fastballs is .106.
After Javier Baez, Spencer is the Tigers’ worst hitter.
But he is also MLB’s worst fielding 1Ber with a -5 DRS. Last year, he also earned that honor with a -12 DRS.
A. J. Hinch gave him a list of things he needs to do in Toledo before returning to Detroit.
That includes making changes to how he loads at the plate as well as his swing. He will also be required to work on his defensive skills.
What do you believe to be Spencer Torkelson’s biggest obstacle to succeeding at the MLB level?
What is Spencer Torkelson's biggest obstacle to succeeding at the MLB level?
1. He's still young and hasn't yet fully tapped into his potential skill sets.
2. He's immature and refuses to accept the reality of what needs to be done in order to succeed.
3. There's too much for him to overcome offensively and defensively.
VOTE
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From May 5th:
Yesterday (May 4th) was Spencer Torkelson’s 300th career MLB game. Here’s how he stacks up against 30 other 1-1 picks through their first 300 games. (*Rutschman is at 299).
Yesterday (May 4th) was Spencer Torkelson’s 300th career MLB game. Here’s how he stacks up against 30 other 1-1 picks through their first 300 games. (*Rutschman is at 299).
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MONDAY MUSINGS
by Holly Horning Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky. So let’s get to it! …
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky.
So let’s get to it! Here are the most interesting topics that hit my radar over the past week………..
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Spencer Torkelson knows what he needs to do to get back to Tigers after demotion
Spencer Torkelson is still projecting confidence and determination after his demotion to Triple-A.
MCBTB
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DEEPER DISCUSSIONS
It’s been almost a month since the Detroit Tigers sent Spencer Torkelson down to Toledo. He had a quick run picking up his offensive skills but once again, he’s struggling to hit with …
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
It’s been almost a month since the Detroit Tigers sent Spencer Torkelson down to Toledo. He had a quick run picking up his offensive skills but once again, he’s struggling to hit with only a couple singles in 19 at-bats late in the week.
Earlier, when he was hitting well, A. J. Hinch told the press that Tork would not be coming back soon and that they were looking to see what changes he was making at the plate instead of his stats.
In a recent national interview, Spencer made some worrisome comments about his struggles that included referrals to his mental approach as well as (sic) “thinking about other stuff” when at the plate. None of his comments gave us hope that things were turning around anytime soon.
There is a decent chance that Tork will not be returning to Detroit this year. In addition to his offensive struggles, his defensive skills continue to rank at the very bottom of MLB. The Tigers have stated that he also needs to work and improve on both sets of skills before coming back.
Given this, what should the Tigers do about the hole at first base?
Should they take a risk and believe that Torkelson will return next season?
Both Mark Canha and Gio Urshela have experience at 1B there but their contracts expire after this year. Urshela in particular has done a solid job of covering 1B.
Both Canha and Urshela are veterans and 2 of the better hitters on the team.
Should they extend Urshela’s contract for the 2025 season? Of course, 3B is his best position and the Tigers currently don’t have a solid heir for that spot yet. He could play both 1B and 3B.
Or should the Tigers take a significant risk and move players around to untested positions?
Colt Keith is trying to adapt to 2B but his DRS so far is poor. Jace Jung is trying to learn 3B and he is also struggling defensively.
Should the Tigers move Keith to 1B and bring up Jung to cover 2B? It would leave no one to take over 3B.
Is it wise to move 2 untested rookies to these crucial positions? And who would cover 3B?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
What should the Tigers do about 1st base for 2025?
1. Bring Spencer Torkelson back.
2. Extend Gio Urshela. Have him cover 1B.
3. Move Keith to 1B and Jung to 2B.
VOTE
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WHO’S ON FIRST?
by Holly Horning How many of us believed that it would take Scott Harris only a year to evaluate the entire Tigers’ organization, especially its players, before making some significant moves?…
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
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Spencer Torkelson still hasn't proven enough to get back to the Tigers
Spencer Torkelson is enjoying a quick resurgence after a quiet start to July in Triple-A.
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1B/OF Bligh Madris optioned to Toledo.
Tigers official site
Spencer Torkelson recalled from Triple-A Toledo, Bligh Madris optioned
Their moves over the last 24 hours say it’s evaluation time before they make their offseason plans.
www.blessyouboys.com
Bligh Madris optioned.
*****Their moves over the last 24 hours say it’s evaluation time before they make their offseason plans. *****
BYBTB
Tigers continue roster overhaul and welcome back former No. 1 overall pick
The Detroit Tigers have recalled first baseman Spencer Torkelson after 58 games with Triple-A Toledo.
More moves for the Tigers!
MCBTB
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WHO’S ON FIRST?
by Holly Horning I think most fans were surprised when PoBO Scott Harris called up Trey Sweeney and Jace Jung a full 2 weeks+ before the September call-ups. As he stated, having them play 6 w…
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
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Spencer Torkelson's 2024 demotion might've saved his Tigers career as surge continues
First baseman Spencer Torkelson cranked a massive two-run homer to help power the Detroit Tigers to their sixth straight win Wednesday against the LA Angels.
motorcitybengals.com
MCBTB
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Tigers insider all but officially reveals fate for Spencer Torkelson this coming offseason
Tigers insider Evan Petzold thinks Spencer Torkelson's time with the Tigers is coming to an end.
motorcitybengals.com
MCBTB
tomdalton22
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I get sucked into reading these articles, but they don't mean anything. Even the "insider" is just guessing. Honestly, I hope they give him one more year before giving up on him.Tigers insider all but officially reveals Spencer Torkelson's fate for 2025.
Tigers insider all but officially reveals fate for Spencer Torkelson this coming offseason
Tigers insider Evan Petzold thinks Spencer Torkelson's time with the Tigers is coming to an end.
MCBTB
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FOOL ME ONCE….
by Holly Horning I believe the Detroit Tigers are learning a lesson. Never sign a player named “Spencer.” Worse yet, a player named “Spencer T.” Especially a player na…
totallytigers.wordpress.com
Totally Tigers
I believe the Detroit Tigers are learning a lesson.
Never sign a player named “Spencer.” Worse yet, a player named “Spencer T.”
Especially a player named Spencer T. who has an agent named Scott Boras.
It now appears that lighting may be trying to strike twice.
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